Prof. Paul Hoftijzer
Testimonial Prof. Paul Hoftijzer
“There are striking parallels between the invention of book printing and the introduction of the internet: Johannes Gutenberg and Bill Gates have a lot in common.”
“When I was studying history in Leiden, I read a book that put forward a challenging hypothesis about the relationship between the invention of printing and the Renaissance, Reformation and new science. Since then, my interest in the subject has never waned and I decided to become a book historian... This is undoubtedly related to the far-reaching communications revolution which we are currently experiencing as a result of the advent of digital media.
There are striking parallels between the invention of book printing and the introduction of the internet, for example with regard to their influence on society and culture, the position of the author or the effect of censorship. Johannes Gutenberg and Bill Gates have a lot in common.
This master's is characterised by the interaction between the present and the past: we treat the history of the written and printed word in close relation to present-day developments in the world of the book and digital media.
In addition, Leiden has fantastic resources available in our field, all within easy reach: the University Library, the Bibliotheca Thysiana, many museums, but also renowned book shops and publishing houses, such as Koninklijke Brill, which has been in existence since 1683.”
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